Local businessmen, politicians, say less jazz in school

By RICHARD SHAWSun Advocate publisher

In the Winter of 1922, citizens in Carbon County were somewhat unhappy with their schools. They looked around at them and thought there was so much more that could be done. They saw that their kids were not being as well educated as many in the "big cities" and wanted more.

This feeling culminated in a lunch of the local Rotary Club who discussed the problems and what should be done about them.

"Some good food for thought was give to the school board" said the paper. The luncheon was held at Carbon High, so obviously the students' situation got the attention. Interestingly enough the members of the Rotary Club at the time consisted of many citizens including the superintendent of schools, Carbon High's principal and an elementary principal. Because of that the paper suggested that "...it cannot be said that there is anything bitter in the suggestions" that were forwarded.

By today's standards some of what was suggested seems antiquated now, but if one looks really hard, one can see that attitudes about many things haven't changed all that much. In fact, some of what was said is downright political rhetoric in this day and age.

Here were some of the ideas put forth.

"Devise a way to keep school children in at night."

"Enforce the attendance laws."

"Require all teachers to visit homes of (the children in their class) at least once a year."

"Cut out freaks; get back on a solid foundation and provide a first class education."

"Cut out many social activities and require high school faculty to be at all gatherings."

"Use books which impart Americanism."

"Require all foreigners to become Americans."

"Provide (a) musical supervisor in the county, that we may have more classical and sacred music to take the place of Jazz."

"To see that school teachers serve the community even out(side) of school hours."

"Choose teachers who will impart higher standards in morals to the students."

"Eliminate tuition charges for children of American citizens and require it of non-property owners and aliens."

"Go on record as favoring (a) state institution for the feeble minded."

"Preserve public money and reduce taxes."

These statements were among many that were made at the meeting, some concerned the operation of county government, state government and how the members of the Rotary thought the entire country should be run.

The paper commented in the end by printing the following statement.

"It's a good thing most of us take ourselves seriously, for hardly anybody else does."